The Good, The Bad & The Football

Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness react to Manchester United’s comeback win over Arsenal at the Emirates, breaking down what it says about the team’s mentality and momentum. There’s praise for Harry Maguire, with Scholesy and Nicky explaining why his recent performances have made a real difference and why it’s good to finally see him getting his plaudits. They discuss how Dorgu helped Luke Shaw handle Bukayo Saka, why Matheus Cunha’s impact off the bench has been so important for Michael Carrick, and whether Carrick himself should be in the frame for the permanent job. Scholesy explains why he thinks it’s too soon, while Nicky suggests when United might identify their next manager.

Attention then turns to Arsenal, with the lads giving their take on the Emirates crowd turning on their own players, whether Mikel Arteta is too cautious at home, and Scholesy floating the theory that Arsenal may have an excellent squad but not a great starting eleven. He even asks whether they could be the worst team ever to win the Premier League?

A chat about Marc Guehi’s failed move to Liverpool spirals into a story about just how close Ronaldinho came to joining Manchester United in 2003, including the squad number he would’ve worn. There’s also a look at what’s gone wrong at Liverpool this season, and whether Thomas Frank deserves sympathy for his situation at Tottenham. Nicky recalls Joe Kinnear’s spell in charge at Newcastle, despite him not having attended a football match for 10 years, and opens up about his own experience of having to sack a manager at Salford.

To finish, things get a bit tense in the studio as a debate about their five favourite sports to play and five favourites to watch quickly descends into anarchy, while Scholesy brings in some sprout juice for a taste test that goes about as well as you’d expect.

If you want to ask the guys anything about football email them at: [email protected].

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Paul, Nicky and Paddy react to Manchester United’s win over Manchester City and what it could mean for the club’s future. Paul reveals what genuinely surprised him about Michael Carrick’s demeanour on the touchline, and the lads debate whether Carrick could end up getting the job full-time if United maintain the level they showed against City. Paul and Nicky also address the criticism of their recent comments about Lisandro Martínez, including the defender’s post-match remarks aimed at them, before turning their attention to Manchester City and asking the big question: could Pep Guardiola walk away at the end of the season?

Hollywood royalty then joins the studio as Tom Hiddleston drops in for a chat. The Night Manager star reveals how he landed the role of Loki, the moment he discovered it would be part of the wider Avengers saga, and who he believes is the Sir Alex Ferguson of the movie world. Tom explains why being part of a film cast and crew feels a lot like being in a football dressing room, how Euro ’96 sparked his love of the game, and why Arsenal is his team. He also opens up about how Scholesy helped calm his nerves ahead of playing at Old Trafford and the invaluable advice he received from Emma Hayes. Plus, Tom turns interviewer himself with a book full of questions for the lads.

Elsewhere, Nicky reveals which England rugby international was once a goalkeeper at Manchester United, Scholesy names his top five for the Premier League this season, and the lads reflect on how much football has changed, from Sir Alex massaging players to physios doing the dinners. There’s also a candid look back at the bad blood between Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel, including when tensions turned physical.

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If you want to ask the guys anything about football email them at: [email protected].

Follow The Good, The Bad & The Football:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@goodbadfootballpod

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Check out Mitre’s range available on https://www.mitre.com

Angry Ginge, aka Morgan Burtwhistle, joins Paul Scholes, Paddy McGuinness in the studio today for a huge The Good, The Bad & The Football debut! 

Ginge expresses his major concerns over the Manchester United board and whether they made the right decision in sacking Ruben Amorim, who is set to be replaced by Michael Carrick as interim boss in the coming days.

If you want to ask the guys anything about football email them at: [email protected].

Follow The Good, The Bad & The Football:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@goodbadfootballpod

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A seismic day at Old Trafford gets the full GBF treatment as Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness react to Manchester United’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim.

Why now? Did Amorim’s post-match comments force the club’s hand and did he want to be sacked? The lads dig into the timing of the decision, debate whether there was a major fallout behind the scenes, and ask if Amorim had already heard someone else was being lined up to take his job. Paul and Nicky also explain how they believe Amorim would have been told his time was up.

They also tackle the accusation that United legends like themselves have piled too much pressure on the club with their public comments. Paul and Nicky give their honest views on Jason Wilcox’s role at United and whether his Manchester City links are an issue, and Scholesy reveals an alleged comment from Wilcox about the United  squad that genuinely shocked him.

Attention then turns to the future. What should the United board be looking for in their next permanent manager? Scholesy and Butty run through the names being linked with the job, name their No.1 choice, and Nicky reveals which appointment would be enough to make him hand in his season ticket. There’s also talk of Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall’s potential sunbed requirements, why Roy Keane could be a great fit, and whether Michael Carrick should play a short-term role.

With Darren Fletcher set to take charge against Burnley, Paul and Nicky say exactly what they want to see from his first team selection. Nicky also shares incredible stories of how different managers have reacted to being sacked, including one who cried and another who practically skipped out of the building.

Finally, the conversation widens to recruitment with Nicky explaining why growing a social media following is now a major pull for players. They also  question if United can still attract the very best talent, and discuss the type of players needed to get the club back to the top.

If you want to ask the guys anything about football email them at: [email protected].

Follow The Good, The Bad & The Football:

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It’s another packed episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football as Paddy, Nicky and Scholesy react to Morgan Rogers’ match-winning display against Manchester United. That sparks a wider chat on the battle for the No.10 role with England, how competition can drive standards, and why some England starters can sometimes risk becoming complacent. There’s a look at Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey making their senior debuts, plus a reminder of how injuries can create opportunity, with Scholesy and Nicky recalling how luck helped Marcus Rashford get his big break at the expense of James Wilson.

Following Jack Grealish’s recent comments, the lads debate who really is the most skilful player in the Premier League - Doku, Grealish or Semenyo? - and what actually counts as “skill”. The GBF 2025 Football Awards are handed out, including Player of the Year, Best Signing and the player they’d most like Manchester United to sign. There’s debate over Semenyo’s future at Bournemouth withs doubts expressed over whether Manchester City would be the right move, while Nicky and Scholesy explain why they want Manchester United to start buying from their rivals again. The boys also reveal which current player they’d most like to have on the pod, the former teammate they’d love to join them, and why Paddy’s dream guest would be Fabian Barthez.

And there's a festive feel to the show as the lads compare Christmas Day traditions: does Nicky really have a goose instead of turkey? Who goes to bed in their PJs by 5pm? Have you ever had a fry up with your Christmas leftovers? And who claims to enjoy a glass of sprout juice on the big day? 🤢 Nicky recalls how his dream Christmas present didn’t last the day, before the lads swap gifts themselves. 

🚨 Look out for the Stick to Football v The Good, The Bad & The Football Christmas Quiz, hosted by Iain Stirling, this Boxing Day from 8am. Watch it on the The Overlap YouTube channel.

If you want to ask the guys anything about football email them at: [email protected].

Follow The Good, The Bad & The Football:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@goodbadfootballpod

Instagram: @goodbadfootballpod

X: @goodbadftblpod

TikTok: goodbadfootballpod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/goodbadfootballpod
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